Report: Orioles targeting Justin Upton as fallback option

The Baltimore Orioles have a plan in case they can't re-sign slugging first baseman Chris Davis, and it involves one of the other top free agents available on the open market.

Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports the Orioles are staying in contact with Justin Upton as a fallback option in case they can't sign Davis.

Signing Upton would provide the Orioles with an offensive force in the lineup, replacing some of the production they'd lose if Davis was to go elsewhere.

As of Tuesday, Baltimore general manager Dan Duquette told reporters he had nothing new to report regarding the situation with Davis. The club had reportedly offered the slugger a seven-year, $154-million contract last month, before eventually tabling the deal.

If Davis was to depart and the Orioles used the funds to sign Upton, Baltimore could slot in Mark Trumbo - acquired in a December trade with the Seattle Mariners - at first base, while adding Upton to an outfield that already contains Adam Jones, and the recently signed Hyun Soo Kim.

Upton, a three-time All-Star, is a nine-year veteran who spent last season with the San Diego Padres, where he earned $14.5 million.

He owns a career slash line of .271/.352/.473 with 190 home runs, 616 RBIs, and 115 stolen bases.